Which is the most readily flammable fibre – polyester, cotton, or wool?
Cotton is the most flammable, then polyester and finally wool. Readily flammable fibres ignite easily and burn rapidly, leaving a light ash residue. They include cotton, acetate, triacetate, rayon and ramie. Moderately flammable fibres are more difficult to ignite and tend to melt and drip, sometimes self-extinguishing upon removal of the source of ignition. They include acrylic, nylon, polyester, olefin an silk. Relatively non-flammable fibres do not support combustion after removal of ignition source. They include wool, modacrylic, vinyon, saran. Does blending two or more fabrics reduce flammability? Fabrics made from a blend of fibres will burn with the characteristics of the more flammable component, provided it is at least 20% of the blend. A cotton/polyester mix will not burn as readily as pure cotton, but it will not melt and drip like 100% pure polyester. However, blended fleece fabrics may burn quicker as the brushed surface may be 100% readily flammable fibres while the base
